Free Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts) by Alexis Noelle Page A

teenager all over again. This was going to be an uncomfortable drive home.
    Maddy turned to me with the biggest smile on her face. She was enjoying this! "You ready to go home?"
    "Yeah, let's get out of here."
    When we got back home, Anthony and my Dad were sitting on the couch. Dad took one look at me and could tell something was up. "What the hell are you walking like that for?"
    I heard Maddy giggling behind me. I was gonna get her for this later. "Someone spilled a drink on me at the club. I'm gonna go take a shower." Maddy sat down in the living room. "You gonna stay out here?"
    "Yeah, just let me know when you're done. I could use a shower too."
    Anthony butted in. "Just take a shower with the poor guy! He did work hard on your birthday, you know!" I walked over and punched him hard in the arm. "OW! Dude, I was just trying to help you out!" I looked over at Maddy and she was blushing. "Whatever. I'm gonna head out. Paul is having a party tonight. Have fun not showering together. I always knew you were gay!"
    All I could do was shake my head. "I'll see you in a couple minutes, okay?"
    "Okay."
     
     
    Madison
     
    I was sitting in the living room, watching TV with Carter's dad and thinking about how perfect today had been. "So, how was your birthday?"
    "It was perfect. I can't believe he did all of this for me. You really raised an amazing man."
    Carter's dad smiled at me. "Thank you. I was worried when his mom first passed away, but all of them have turned out really well. Even Anthony, although sometimes I wanna duct tape his mouth closed." I had to laugh at that. "He really cares a lot about you."
    "I care about him a lot, too, probably more than you know."
    "That's good to hear."
    I heard the bathroom door and Carter yelled out to me that he was done. "Well, I'm going to go get in the shower. Thank you again for everything, I really had a great time here."
    "You're welcome here anytime, honey."
    I couldn't resist it. I went over and gave his dad a hug. "Good night."
    "Good night, sweetheart, and happy birthday again."
    "Thank you."
    When I got out of the shower and went into the room, Carter was already in bed. I climbed in and snuggled up to him. "Did you have a good birthday?"
    "I had the best birthday I've ever had. Truthfully, it's probably been the best day of my life."
    "Good, I'm glad." He leaned down and gave me a kiss.
    A few minutes passed and I thought maybe now might be a good time to talk about Chris. I hadn't wanted to do it at dinner earlier. I still wasn't ready to tell Carter everything, but I needed to let him in, he deserved it. "Carter, did you still want to talk?"
    No answer.
    "Carter?"
    I looked up at him and he was asleep.
    "Good night, Carter...I love you."
     
    *  *  *
     
    I woke up the next morning feeling out of it. This was just great. I was getting sick. I slept most of the ride back to campus. Carter walked me to my room, and only agreed to leave because Nicole was there.
    I usually loved how Carter always wanted to be around me, but not when I was sick. I knew he was waiting for me to bring up Chris too. He was getting back tomorrow afternoon, and I was dreading that conversation.
    I barely made it through all my classes Monday. I was so sick, all I wanted to do was sleep. Chris called when he got back into town but once he knew I was sick, he said he was staying away from me. However, Carter was regularly dropping off tea and soup to me. He made me so unbelievably happy. By Wednesday, I was feeling better and asked Chris if he'd come over to talk to me after my classes. Carter had work tonight and tomorrow night, and Nicole had gotten me a part time-job and my first shift was tomorrow.
    Chris met me outside my last class and we walked to my room together. Nicole said she'd stay out till later tonight.
    "So, what was so important that you needed me to come over, Madison?"
    I was so scared. I wished Carter could have been here with me. I knew that would have made it so much worse,